Artists' Retreat
Sangeeta Mahajan
- Sitter: Lethbridge Gallery Artists.
- Medium: Digital Photograph
- Dimensions: 154 x 50cm
- Representation: Lethbridge Gallery
- Categories: Digital, Female Artist
About the artwork and sitter
Sangeeta Mahajan’s portrait of a group of artists who exhibit at Lethbridge Gallery is almost painterly in its composition and effect. Small groups of artists were photographed in seven different sittings, with the setting and backdrop created to homogenise the artwork.
Sangeeta Mahajan says: “Each portrait within the group portrait shows the unique nuances, style and proclivity of each individual artist. It is an attempt at creative portraiture that shows an individual artist as a part of an intricate whole. The artists’ portrait showcases the interconnectedness, continuity and diversity of art, artists and the incredible creative talent of Brisbane.”
Sangeeta loves story telling in art, storytelling which reflects the subtle nuances of people’s reality, their relationships and their inner self. “The subtle, unspoken twists and angst of the heart and thought.”
Artists seated left to right: Kay Kane, Alexandra Matthews, Scott Breton, Pat Hall, Sangeeta Mahajan, Bronwyn Hill, Ai Shah, Summer Aldis, Beth Mitchell, Brett Lethbridge, Olivia Haupt, Simone Linssen, J Valenzuela Didi, KD De Silva, Marisa Veerman, Lindy Sale, John Morris, Bronwyn Searle, Linda Zucco, Michelle Caitens, Margaret Ingles, Jan Jorgensen, Chase Arche, Raelean Hall, Tara Spicer, Scott McDougall
About the artist
Sangeeta Mahajan is a Brisbane based art photographer, who uses photography to explore what lies beneath the human skin. Having completed post graduate studies in literature, she has spent the last two years working on her art practice.
"Each portrait within the group portrait shows the unique nuances, style and proclivity of each individual artist. It is an attempt at creative portraiture that shows an individual artist as a part of an intricate whole.”
Behind the scenes
With this artwork, I primarily wanted to create a portrait that reflected the unique persona of Lethbridge Gallery and its artists.
There is a distinctive gentleness, a camaraderie and a quiet artistic energy that exudes from the gallery. It is present and palpable. When I met the different artists over six different sittings, they all individually and jointly seemed to exude a similar quiet grace, acceptance of the other, and a unique, yet incredibly understated artistic genius. Each artist’s work is reflective, vulnerable, masterful.
I have sought to reflect some of the above in this portrait.
Thanks to Brett Lethbridge, the owner of Lethbridge Gallery for giving me the opportunity, and complete artistic freedom to create this artwork.
